LUCASFILM: ‘NO PLANS TO DIGITALLY RECREATE CARRIE FISHER’

The digital rendering of two famous characters in Rogue One: A Star Wars Story created news. George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic garnered praise and criticism as the VFX and animation studio brought Peter Cushing back to life and recalled a 21 year old Carrie Fisher.

Although the end product managed to wow cinema goers with almost perfect CGI, some have described the act as inappropriate and disrespectful to the actor being replicated.

Peter Cushing who played Grand Moff Tarkin in 1977’s Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope, died in 1994. Lucasfilm resurrected Tarkin with the help of performance capture work by British actor Guy Henry.

People are still addressing their concerns towards the film’s digital rendering of the two characters. The issue intensified after the sudden tragic death of Carrie Fisher. With the news that Fisher has already completed her scenes in the upcoming Star Wars VIII and is also reported to have a greater role in IX, rumors are circulating that Lucasfilm might be inclined to depend on CGI once again.

Rogue One’s Princess Leia was accomplished also with the use of another actor wearing performance-capture equipment. Norwegian actress Ingvild Deila carried out the role of Princess Leia with her face, hair and costume being digitally replaced with archival footage of the character. Princess Leia’s voice as she speaks the word hope is also taken from Star Wars: Episode IV — A New Hope. Below is the CGI Princess Leia scene from Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.

We don’t normally respond to fan or press speculation, but there is a rumor circulating that we would like to address. We want to assure our fans that Lucasfilm has no plans to digitally recreate Carrie Fisher’s performance as Princess or General Leia Organa.

Carrie Fisher was, is, and always will be a part of the Lucasfilm family. She was our princess, our general, and more importantly, our friend. We are still hurting from her loss. We cherish her memory and legacy as Princess Leia, and will always strive to honor everything she gave to Star Wars.